scholarly journals Dust Measurements in the Outer Solar System

1994 ◽  
Vol 160 ◽  
pp. 367-380
Author(s):  
Eberhard Grün
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Interstellar Dust ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Scattered Light ◽  
Interplanetary Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Spatial Density ◽  
Outer Solar System ◽  
The Sun

In-situ measurements of micrometeoroids provide information on the spatial distribution of interplanetary dust and its dynamical properties. Pioneers 10 and 11, Galileo and Ulysses spaceprobes took measurements of interplanetary dust from 0.7 to 18 AU distance from the sun. Distinctly different populations of dust particles exist in the inner and outer solar system. In the inner solar system, out to about 3 AU, zodiacal dust particles are recognized by their scattered light, their thermal emission and by in-situ detection from spaceprobes. These particles orbit the sun on low inclination (i ≤ 30°) and moderate eccentricity (e ≤ 0.6) orbits. Their spatial density falls off with approximately the inverse of the solar distance. Dust particles on high inclination or even retrograde trajectories dominate the dust population outside about 3 AU. The dust detector on board the Ulysses spaceprobe identified interstellar dust sweeping through the outer solar system on hyperbolic trajectories. Within about 2 AU from Jupiter Ulysses discovered periodic streams of dust particles originating from within the jovian system.

scholarly journals Helios spacecraft data revisited: detection of cometary meteoroid trails by following in situ dust impacts

2020 ◽  
Vol 643 ◽  
pp. A96
Author(s):  
Harald Krüger ◽  
Peter Strub ◽  
Max Sommer ◽  
Nicolas Altobelli ◽  
Hiroshi Kimura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Dust Cloud ◽  
Interplanetary Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
True Anomaly ◽  
Spatial Density ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Narrow Region ◽  
Spacecraft Data

Context. Cometary meteoroid trails exist in the vicinity of comets, forming a fine structure of the interplanetary dust cloud. The trails consist predominantly of the largest cometary particles (with sizes of approximately 0.1 mm–1 cm), which are ejected at low speeds and remain very close to the comet orbit for several revolutions around the Sun. In the 1970s, two Helios spacecraft were launched towards the inner Solar System. The spacecraft were equipped with in situ dust sensors which measured the distribution of interplanetary dust in the inner Solar System for the first time. Recently, when re-analysing the Helios data, a clustering of seven impacts was found, detected by Helios in a very narrow region of space at a true anomaly angle of 135 ± 1°, which the authors considered as potential cometary trail particles. However, at the time, this hypothesis could not be studied further. Aims. We re-analyse these candidate cometary trail particles in the Helios dust data to investigate the possibility that some or all of them indeed originate from cometary trails and we constrain their source comets. Methods. The Interplanetary Meteoroid Environment for eXploration (IMEX) dust streams in space model is a new and recently published universal model for cometary meteoroid streams in the inner Solar System. We use IMEX to study the traverses of cometary trails made by Helios. Results. During ten revolutions around the Sun, the Helios spacecraft intersected 13 cometary trails. For the majority of these traverses the predicted dust fluxes are very low. In the narrow region of space where Helios detected the candidate dust particles, the spacecraft repeatedly traversed the trails of comets 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdušáková and 72P/Denning-Fujikawa with relatively high predicted dust fluxes. The analysis of the detection times and particle impact directions shows that four detected particles are compatible with an origin from these two comets. By combining measurements and simulations we find a dust spatial density in these trails of approximately 10−8–10−7 m−3. Conclusions. The identification of potential cometary trail particles in the Helios data greatly benefited from the clustering of trail traverses in a rather narrow region of space. The in situ detection and analysis of meteoroid trail particles which can be traced back to their source bodies by spacecraft-based dust analysers provides a new opportunity for remote compositional analysis of comets and asteroids without the necessity to fly a spacecraft to or even land on those celestial bodies. This provides new science opportunities for future missions like DESTINY+ (Demonstration and Experiment of Space Technology for INterplanetary voYage with Phaethon fLyby and dUst Science), Europa Clipper, and the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe.

scholarly journals 21. Light of the Night Sky / Lumière du Ciel Nocturne

1997 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-236
Author(s):  
Christoph Leinert
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Dust ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Scattered Light ◽  
Diffuse Radiation ◽  
Interplanetary Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Zodiacal Light ◽  
Interplanetary Dust Particles ◽  
Extragalactic Background Light ◽  
Night Sky

The light of the night sky is a difficult to disentangle mixture of tropospherically scattered light, airglow, zodiacal light (including the thermal emission by interplanetary dust particles), unresolved stellar light, diffuse scattering and emission by interstellar dust and gas, and finally an extragalactic component. It has the reputation of being a very traditional field of astronomy, which certainly is true if we look at the long history of the subject. The recent renewed interest in this topic, which continued during this triennium, appears mainly to come from three sources: - first from the impressive results of the IRAS and COBE infrared satellites. They brought to general consciousness the fact that the infrared sky is characterised by strong emission from interplanetary and interstellar dust, and made clear that this emission may interfere with the study of faint interesting sources. - then from the development of sensitive detectors and arrays for essentially all of the wavelength range to be covered in this report, from the Lyman limit to ≈ 300 μm. Now the difficult measurements of the ultraviolet diffuse radiation and of the extragalactic background light in the infrared cosmological windows around 3 μm and 200 μm have become feasible and state of the art projects. - finally, the threat to astronomical observations arising from man-made development and lighting has become important enough to further studies of uncontaminated and contaminated night sky brightnesses. This report will refer mainly to those areas and is meant to highlight noteworthy developments. It was prepared with the help of Drs. Bowyer and Mattila.

scholarly journals Interplanetary Dust Close to the Sun

1991 ◽  
Vol 126 ◽  
pp. 187-190
Author(s):  
Ingrid Mann
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Dust Cloud ◽  
Interplanetary Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Zodiacal Dust ◽  
In Situ Experiments ◽  
Infrared Brightness

AbstractThe optical and infrared brightness of the Fraunhofer-corona is produced by light scattering at the zodiacal dust particles and by their thermal emission (see Koutchmy and Lamy 1985). It is modelled within the ecliptic (4 Ro≤ ε ≤ 15 Ro)taking into account investigations of the global zodiacal dust cloud due to remote sensing and in situ experiments. The input of near solar dust to the corona brightness is discussed.

In Situ Measurements of Interplanetary Dust in the Inner Solar System

1980 ◽  
Vol 90 ◽  
pp. 277-278
Author(s):  
E. Grün
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Ecliptic Plane ◽  
Interplanetary Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
The Sun ◽  
The South ◽  
Orbit Analysis ◽  
Peak Abundance ◽  
Heliocentric Orbit

The Helios 1 spacecraft was launched in December 1974 into a heliocentric orbit of 0.3 AU perihelion distance. It carries on board a micro-meteoroid experiment which contains two sensors with a total sensitive area of 121 cm2. The ecliptic sensor measures dust particles which have trajectories with elevations from −45° to +55° with respect to the ecliptic plane. The south sensor detects dust particles from −90° to −4°. The ecliptic sensor is covered by a thin film (3000 Å parylene coated with 750 Å aluminium) as protection against solar radiation. The other sensor is shielded by the spacecraft rim from direct sunlight and has an open aperture. Micrometeoroids are detected by the electric charge produced upon impact and the ions are mass analysed in a time-of-flight-spectrometer. During the first 6 orbits of Helios 1 around the sun the experiment registered a total of 168 meteoroids, 52 particles were detected by the ecliptic sensor and 116 particles by the south sensor. Most impacts on the ecliptic sensor were observed when it was pointing in the direction of motion of Helios (apex direction). In contrast to that the south sensor detected most impacts when it was facing in between the solar and antapex directions. Orbit analysis showed that the “apex” particles which are predominantly detected by the ecliptic sensor have eccentricities e < 0.4 or semimajor axes a < 0.5 AU. From comparison with corresponding data from the south sensor it is concluded that the average inclination of these particles is below 30°. The excess of impacts on the south sensor have orbit eccentricities e > 0.5 AU. β-meteoroids which leave the solar system on hyperbolic orbits are directly identified by the imbalance of outgoing (away from the sun) and ingoing particles. Mass analyses of the spectra showed that 40% of the observed spectra have the peak abundance above mass 35 amu which are preliminarily identified as iron meteoroids. 40% of the spectra have the peak abundance below mass 35 amu which correspond to chondritic composition. 20% of the spectra could not be identified in either class.

Planetary Compositions - Clues from Meteorites and Asteroids

1989 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 924-934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward R. D. Scott ◽  
Horton E. Newsom
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Solar System ◽  
Interplanetary Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Outer Solar System ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Interplanetary Dust Particles ◽  
Comet Halley ◽  
As Effects ◽  
System Chemistry

Abstract We review the chemical and mineralogical properties of primitive meteorites and chemical data for the Sun, Comet Halley and interplanetary dust particles. Regardless of where meteorites formed, concentrations of rock-forming elements in solar nebular solids could not have varied simply with distance from the Sun. Thus compositional differences between neighboring planets and the chemical and mineralogical diversity of chondritic asteroids may have been caused by local variations in the compositions of planetesimals, rather than transport of planetesimals over large heliocentric dis­ tances. Chemical variations were partly caused by differential transport and preferential agglomer­ ation of various presolar and solar grains and aggregates, and the production from these aggregates of diverse types of chondrules, refractory inclusions and other chondritic components in brief, local high temperature events in the nebula. These processes were just as important in controlling solar system chemistry as effects due to changes in ambient nebular temperatures and pressures. Differ­ ences between the Fe/Si ratios of the Sun, CI chondrites, interplanetary dust particles and Comet Halley suggest that planetesimals in the outer solar system had diverse relative concentrations of rock-forming elements.

scholarly journals Multiple generations of grain aggregation in different environments preceded solar system body formation

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (26) ◽  
pp. 6608-6613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hope A. Ishii ◽  
John P. Bradley ◽  
Hans A. Bechtel ◽  
Donald E. Brownlee ◽  
Karen C. Bustillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Molecular Cloud ◽  
Interstellar Dust ◽  
Solar Nebula ◽  
Carbon Matrix ◽  
Interplanetary Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Interplanetary Dust Particles ◽  
System Body

The solar system formed from interstellar dust and gas in a molecular cloud. Astronomical observations show that typical interstellar dust consists of amorphous (a-) silicate and organic carbon. Bona fide physical samples for laboratory studies would yield unprecedented insight about solar system formation, but they were largely destroyed. The most likely repositories of surviving presolar dust are the least altered extraterrestrial materials, interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) with probable cometary origins. Cometary IDPs contain abundant submicrona-silicate grains called GEMS (glass with embedded metal and sulfides), believed to be carbon-free. Some have detectable isotopically anomalousa-silicate components from other stars, proving they are preserved dust inherited from the interstellar medium. However, it is debated whether the majority of GEMS predate the solar system or formed in the solar nebula by condensation of high-temperature (>1,300 K) gas. Here, we map IDP compositions with single nanometer-scale resolution and find that GEMS contain organic carbon. Mapping reveals two generations of grain aggregation, the key process in growth from dust grains to planetesimals, mediated by carbon. GEMS grains, some witha-silicate subgrains mantled by organic carbon, comprise the earliest generation of aggregates. These aggregates (and other grains) are encapsulated in lower-density organic carbon matrix, indicating a second generation of aggregation. Since this organic carbon thermally decomposes above ∼450 K, GEMS cannot have accreted in the hot solar nebula, and formed, instead, in the cold presolar molecular cloud and/or outer protoplanetary disk. We suggest that GEMS are consistent with surviving interstellar dust, condensed in situ, and cycled through multiple molecular clouds.

scholarly journals The Contribution of Kuiper Belt Dust Grains to the Inner Solar System

1996 ◽  
Vol 150 ◽  
pp. 163-166
Author(s):  
Jer-Chyi Liou ◽  
Herbert A. Zook ◽  
Stanley F. Dermott
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Interstellar Dust ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Kuiper Belt ◽  
Interplanetary Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Dust Grains ◽  
Zodiacal Light ◽  
Interplanetary Dust Particles ◽  
The Earth

AbstractThe recent discovery of the so-called Kuiper belt objects has prompted the idea that these objects produce dust grains that may contribute significantly to the interplanetary dust population at 1 AU. We have completed a numerical study of the orbital evolution of dust grains, of diameters 1 to 9 μm, that originate in the region of the Kuiper belt. Our results show that about 80% of the grains are ejected from the Solar System by the giant planets while the remaining 20% of the grains evolve all the way to the Sun. Surprisingly, these dust grains have small orbital eccentricities and inclinations when they cross the orbit of the Earth. This makes them behave more like asteroidal than cometary-type dust particles. This also enhances their chances to be captured by the Earth and makes them a possible source of the collected interplanetary dust particles (IDPs); in particular, they represent a possible source that brings primitive/organic materials from the outer Solar System to the Earth.When collisions with interstellar dust grains are considered, however, Kuiper belt dust grains larger than about 9 μm appear likely to be collisionally shattered before they can evolve to the inner part of the Solar System. Therefore, Kuiper belt dust grains may not, as they are expected to be small, contribute significantly to the zodiacal light.

scholarly journals Dust Particles Near The Sun

1996 ◽  
Vol 150 ◽  
pp. 361-364
Author(s):  
L. I. Shestakova ◽  
L. V. Tambovtseva
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Orbital Motion ◽  
Interplanetary Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Dust Grains ◽  
Elliptic Orbits

AbstractThe orbital motion of interplanetary dust grains in the sublimation zone near the Sun has been considered for graphite and silicate. Calculations showed that dust grains with initial radii s = 0.5 - 5 μm can form regions of enhanced concentration. The inner corona is slightly enriched with particles s = 0.3 - 0.6 μm due to the departure of the evaporated grains onto highly elliptic orbits. However, they may be not recognized due to their small contribution to the total brightness along the line-of-sight compared with the background of the more typical Zodiacal particles. The astrosilicate dust grains do not form zones of enhanced concentration. Finally, particles with initial radii from 0.3 to 4 μm leave the Solar system and become β-meteoroids.

scholarly journals Interstellar dust in the solar system: model versus in situ spacecraft data

2019 ◽  
Vol 626 ◽  
pp. A37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Krüger ◽  
Peter Strub ◽  
Nicolas Altobelli ◽  
Veerle J. Sterken ◽  
Ralf Srama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Model Calibration ◽  
Interstellar Dust ◽  
Space Missions ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Charged Dust ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Spacecraft Data

Context. In the early 1990s, contemporary interstellar dust penetrating deep into the heliosphere was identified with the in situ dust detector on board the Ulysses spacecraft. Later on, interstellar dust was also identified in the data sets measured with dust instruments on board Galileo, Cassini, and Helios. Ulysses monitored the interstellar dust stream at high ecliptic latitudes for about 16 yr. The three other spacecraft data sets were obtained in the ecliptic plane and cover much shorter time intervals. Aims. To test the reliability of the model predictions, we compare previously published in situ interstellar dust measurements, obtained with these four spacecraft, with predictions of an advanced model for the dynamics of interstellar dust in the inner solar system (Interplanetary Meteoroid environment for EXploration; IMEX). Methods. Micrometer and sub-micrometer-sized dust particles are subject to solar gravity, radiation pressure and the Lorentz force on a charged dust particle moving through the interplanetary magnetic field. These forces lead to a complex size-dependent flow pattern of interstellar dust in the planetary system. The IMEX model was calibrated with the Ulysses interstellar dust measurements and includes these relevant forces. We study the time-resolved flux and mass distribution of interstellar dust in the solar system. Results. The IMEX model agrees with the spacecraft measurements within a factor of 2–3, including time intervals and spatial regions not covered by the original model calibration with the Ulysses data set. The model usually underestimates the dust fluxes measured by the space missions which were not used for the model calibration, i.e. Galileo, Cassini, and Helios. Conclusions. A unique time-dependent model, IMEX is designed to predict the interstellar dust fluxes and mass distributions for the inner and outer solar system. The model is suited to study dust detection conditions for past and future space missions.

scholarly journals Physical Modeling of the Zodiacal Dust Cloud

2001 ◽  
Vol 204 ◽  
pp. 17-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonid M. Ozernoy
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Physical Modeling ◽  
Interstellar Dust ◽  
Extrasolar Planets ◽  
Dust Cloud ◽  
Interplanetary Dust ◽  
Asteroid Belt ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Resonant Structure ◽  
Zodiacal Light

This review is based on extensive work done in collaboration with N. Gorkavyi, J. Mather, and T. Taidakova, which aimed at physical modeling of the interplanetary dust (IPD) cloud in the Solar System, i.e., establishing a link between the observable characteristics of the zodiacal cloud and the dynamical and physical properties of the parent minor bodies. Our computational approach permits one to integrate the trajectories of hundreds of particles and to effectively store up to 1010–11 positions with modest computer resources, providing a high fidelity 3D distribution of the dust. Our numerical codes account for the major dynamical effects that govern the motion of IPD particles: Poynting-Robertson (P-R) drag and solar wind drag; solar radiation pressure; particle evaporation; gravitational scattering by the planets; and the influence of mean-motion resonances. The incorporation of secular resonances and collisions of dust particles (both mutual and with interstellar dust) is underway. We have demonstrated the efficacy of our codes by performing the following analyses: (i) simulation of the distribution of Centaurs (comets scattered in their journey from the Kuiper belt inward in the Solar System) and revealing the effects of the outer planets in producing ‘cometary belts’; (ii) detailed inspection of a rich resonant structure found in these belts, which predicts the existence of gaps similar to the Kirkwood gaps in the main asteroid belt; (iii) a preliminary 3-D physical model of the IPD cloud, which includes three dust components – asteroidal, cometary, and kuiperoidal – and is consistent with the available data of Pioneer and Voyager dust detectors; (iv) modeling of the IPD cloud, which provides a zodiacal light distribution in accord, to the order of 1%, with a subset of the COBE/DIRBE observations; and (v) showing that the resonant structure in dusty circumstellar disks of Vega and Epsilon Eridani is a signature of embedded extrasolar planets. Further improvements of our modeling and their importance for astronomy and cosmology are outlined.

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